by Kristy Kreme LaVigne
Sandwiched between the Northfield Crit and Hamel TT, the 2008 Spam Jam was another unforgettable race. With tri-color T-shirts, chip timing, food, medals, plaques, and trophies for ages up to 60+, all for the low, low day-of registration price of $15, you couldn’t get more Americana. Nestled in the JC Hormel Nature Center, the riders lined up for the start….men, women, young & old, racers, and even a pair unicyclists readied themselves for the 25 mile course ahead. The start was amplified by a strong 20mph tail wind for the first 5 miles, pushing the lead cyclists to speeds over 35mph! A field close to 100-strong stretched out for nearly a mile on the cycling friendly roads.
Quickly, groups of 10-15 riders formed as the pace hardened and the field turned into the cross wind. Silver Cycling’s spectrum of riders was boldly represented at the front of the pack. Rick Hoover, a 5th year tri-athlete from Rochester, helped push the pace until the lead group dwindled down to 5 men. Jay “Hollywood” Henderson (Silver Cycling) was definitely the watched rider. In the last mile, Henderson sat up letting Hoover gap the foursome. Reacting quickly, Ben Schinke (Silver Cycling) launched the perfect counter, bridging himself up to Hoover as the once kind tail wind now challenged them head on. Schinke effortlessly rolled Hoover at the line, with Henderson quickly in tow taking third.
Somewhere in the mix, behind the lead men and ahead of the peloton was Gretchen Sadaka of Mankato, leading the women’s field. Gretchen, having made the break when the field turned into the first crosswind, rode 25 miles unchallenged by the rest of the field, throwing her hands up as she crossed the finish after a great effort. Spam Jam’s 2007 women’s champ, Kristy LaVigne (Silver Cycling) wasn’t far behind, driving hard with her teammates to close the gap. Happily finishing in 2nd, LaVigne cheered as her 3 compatriots, Jacki Carlson (Silver Cycling), Madonna Lindgren (LSC), and Amy Campbell (Silver Cycling) followed her in for 3rd, 4th, and 5th.
As the afternoon warmed and the riders came in, they gathered together for the awards ceremony. Trophies, plaques or medals were awarded to the top riders in 10-yr age classes in categories reaching 60+. The crowd was jubilant and celebrated each person’s victory. Spam Jam is definitely an event that captures the true essence of bicycle racing. I was so honored to be a part of it yet again.
Thanks to Kristy Kreme for the race report! If you’d like to contribute to btdc contact us at bikethrow@gmail.com.
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